MARSHFIELD – Security Health Plan’s Community Benefits program, which focused on improving the health of children, older adults and those with behavioral health problems, reached more than 40,000 individuals in 2015.
“So many of the factors that affect our health occur outside the walls of a clinic or a hospital,” said Jay Shrader, director of disease management and wellness. “Security Health Plan, collaborating with many other dedicated groups, is making a real difference in the lives of our members and our neighbors.”
Last year Security Health Plan’s Community Benefits program partnered with 86 organizations, from southern Wisconsin to the Lake Superior shore. Here are a few examples of how the Community Benefits program is making a positive impact:
- In community centers throughout the area we invited older adults to attend Let’s Talk About Medicineworkshopstolearn how to read a drug label and better understand instructions for properly taking their medicine.
- Responding to a need for better recognition of the early signs of mental health crises, we supported intensive training for 20 new Mental Health First Aid Instructors. These instructors are now expanding the mental health “safety net” by teaching Mental Health First Aid in their communities.
- To address health issues that confront school-aged children we invested $146,000 in Healthy School Grants to nine organizations.
- Health Literacy initiatives to educate parents about common childhood ailments and appropriate medical action they should take for their children reached 2,700 families.
And 2016 promises to be just as robust. Security Health Plan recently announced Healthy Aging grants to provide older adults with education and support on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, falls prevention, chronic disease and behavioral health.
Also, Security Health Plan will continue to support efforts that have a proven record of success, such as Let’s Talk About Medicines and the Children Physical Activity and Nutrition Program.
“Security Health Plan is committed to being a successful business, which means being a responsible corporate citizen,” Shrader said. “Our Community Benefits Program is one way that we fulfill that mission.”
A more expansive list of the 2015 investments can be found in Security Health Plan’s Community Benefits Report, at www.securityhealth.org/
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Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., part of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, is helping its 230,000 members in Wisconsin and beyond reach their best health. Accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Security Health Plan offers health insurance coverage for employees of large and small businesses, individuals and families. Security Administrative Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Security Health Plan, provides full service third party administration for self-funded employers in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.